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A rare species of crab with a cross-like mark on its shell last seen in the Straits of Malacca in the 60s had been caught by a fisherman from Tengkera on Sunday. The crabs had caused quite a stir among the people, especially Christians. Legend has it that in the 16th Century, Saint Francis Xavier, a pioneering Roman Catholic missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus who has a role in initiating the Goa Inquisition, was caught in a storm in the Straits of Malacca. He dipped his crucifix into the sea and prayed to God to calm the raging storm. When the crucifix slipped from his grip and fell into the sea, he prayed that he could get it back. And that he did when he reached the shores of Malacca. A crab clutching his crucifix had crawled on the beach to welcome him . St Francis blessed the crab and the sign of a cross then appeared on its back. Locals had now rushed to buy the crabs, not to eat, but to preserve the shell which is considered sacred. It does not pay if you are marked!
A rare species of crab with a cross-like mark on its shell last seen in the Straits of Malacca in the 60s had been caught by a fisherman from Tengkera on Sunday. The crabs had caused quite a stir among the people, especially Christians. Legend has it that in the 16th Century, Saint Francis Xavier, a pioneering Roman Catholic missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus who has a role in initiating the Goa Inquisition, was caught in a storm in the Straits of Malacca. He dipped his crucifix into the sea and prayed to God to calm the raging storm. When the crucifix slipped from his grip and fell into the sea, he prayed that he could get it back. And that he did when he reached the shores of Malacca. A crab clutching his crucifix had crawled on the beach to welcome him . St Francis blessed the crab and the sign of a cross then appeared on its back. Locals had now rushed to buy the crabs, not to eat, but to preserve the shell which is considered sacred. It does not pay if you are marked!
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